Cigar lighter



Nov. 21, 1939. A. A. JOHNSON CIGAR LIGHTER Filed Dec. 5, 1936 8 F Z a?INVENTOR Patented Nov. 21, 1939 CIGAR LIGHTER Arthur A. Johnson,Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Automatic Devices Corporation,Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application December 5,1936, Serial No. 114,355

15 Claims.

This invention relates to electric cigar lighters, and particularly tothe type of cigar lighter having a removable and transportable ignitingunit carrying a heating element which is adapted, when hot, to ignitecigarettes and the like, and which igniting unit is normally carried ina base or on a holding structure.

Cigar lighters of this type, as used for automobiles, commonly comprisea holding device adapted to be mounted on an instrument board orsupporting plate and presenting a recess or well into which theremovable igniting unit, plug-like in form, is placed and held. In theselighters the igniting unit is movable in the recess to effectenergization, by circuit control, of the heating element. Variousswitching means have been employed to control the heating elementcircuit in response to movement of the igniting unit, and function withvarying degrees of success.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cigar lighter of thekind referred to with an improved switching means for the purpose ofcontrolling the energizing circuit.

In carrying out the invention a novel resilient contact organization isprovided which insures a positive closing of the circuit at all times,and yet permits of quick and easy assembly of the various parts, andthis organization further functions to control the movement and positionof the igniting unit on the holder.

According to this invention, the circuit is closed through the heatingelement by one or more feelers or pins mounted to move radially of theigniting unit from an open-circuit position to a closed-circuit positionas a result of the movement of the igniting unit longitudinally in theholding device. Preferably these pins are spring pressed outwardly andcooperate with the holder to retain the igniting unit in the holderagainst casual movement in open-circuit position and further cause thereturn of the igniting unit to that position after the heating elementhas been brought to incandescence for use.

Cooperating with the contact organization as outlined above there isprovided a novel visual signal means in the igniting unit, characterizedby a single, elongate, solid, light-conducting member extending from theheating element to the outwardly visible portion of the unit.

The present invention also provides improved means particularlyadaptable to the present structure for securing the holding device tothe instrument panel.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawing, showing an embodiment and a modification ofthe invention:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal axial section of the lighter in open-circuitposition, the light-conducting member being shown in partial elevation.

Fig. 2 is a similar view but with the lighter in closed-circuit positionand the igniting unit partly in elevation and partly in section.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of the contact pins and resilient holder of thelighter.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the securing ring for the holding device, and

Fig. 5 is a modification, corresponding to the position of Fig. 2,showing a bimetallic clip for holding the igniting unit in energizingposition, and for releasing the unit to open-circuit position.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the present lighter comprises a holdingdevice ID supported on an instrument panel I I, and an igniting unit l2carried by the holding device for energization therein, and for completeremoval therefrom for use.

The holder It includes a cylindrical metal shell 13 having a rear walll3a which is centrally apertured, and insulatedly carries a threadedstud M to which is secured, by means of a connection lug [5, a wire ISconnected with a source of electrical energy (not shown).

The stud M secures a metal contact clip I! in the rear portion of theshell l3, said clip being preferably of heavy material so as to besubstantially non-resilient. The clip H is likewise insulated from theshell l3, as shown, and serves as an electrical contact to the ignitingunit when the latter is in energizing position. The return or groundconnection from the igniting unit is effected through the metal shell l3and panel II on which the shell is supported, said panel being connectedto the source of energy serving the wire [6.

The igniting unit 12 includes a tubular body l8 and an integral knob 19,said body and knob being preferably molded of suitable opaque insulatingmaterial, such as Bakelite. The body i8 is adapted to slidably fitwithin the shell 13 so as to be movable therein for actuating a switchto control the heating element circuit, and theend of said body isinternally threaded to carry a metal cap 20 on which is insulatedlymounted a heating element 2| and metal contact cup 22..

' The element 2| is carried in the cup, and is spiral in form, havingits outer end joined to the cup and its inner end secured to a centralstud 23 which passes through the cup and through the cap 20 for securingthe heating element and cup;

to said cap. The cup 22 is adapted to engage the contact clip ll? whenthe igniting unit is moved inwardly in the holder, as in Fig. 2, andelectrical connection is thus effected from the wire Hi to the outer endof the element 2 l.

According to the present invention there is provided improved switchmeans for controlling the heating element circuit in response to thisaxial movement of the igniting unit. This switch means is carried in thebody is of the unit and includes a metal contact cylinder 24, preferablyof resilient material, having an apertured end wall 25 which is securedunder the head of the stud 23 so that the cylinder is electricallyconnected to the inner end of the heating element 2| and is also firmlysupported Within the bore of the body 68.

For electrically connecting the cylinder 2% to the shell E3 in responseto movement of the igniting unit therein, the invention provides a pairof contact pins 26, see Figs. 1, 2 and 3, which are secured to resilientarms 2? integral with a metal ring 28 adapted to fit within the bore ofthe body I8 and against the rear wall of the knob id. The

' pins 26 fit into suitable apertures in the side wall of the body so asto project therethrough as shown, and the resilient arms ii are biasedto yieldingly hold the pins 26 in the outward position shown in Fig. 1,the pins being movable in wardly to engage and contact with the forwardend of the cylinder 24.

For the purpose of moving the pins radially inwardly in response toinward axial movement of the igniting unit, the shell i3 is providedwith a circular cam ridge 2%) connecting with an enlarged neck portion3i which latter passes through an aperture in the panel ll and has itsedge turned outwardly to provide a bead 3| engaging the front face ofthe panel. The inner cam surface of the ridge 29 causes the pins 26 tomove radially inwardly, as guided by the apertures in which said pinsare disposed, in response to inward axial movement of the igniting unitin the holder it].

When the igniting unit is moved to the position of Figs. 2 the pins 26will have moved into contact with the cylinder 2% at substantially thesame time that the contact cup 22 engages the clip I1, and thus thecircuit through the heating element will be completed. Current will flowas follows: From the source of energy (not shown) current will flowthrough the wire it, lug l5, stud l4, clip ll, cup 22, heating element2|, stud 23, cylinder 25, contact pins 29, shell i3, and thence throughthe panel H.

Preferably the organization is such that the pins 26 will engage andcontact with the end of the cylinder 24 slightly before engagement ofthe cup 22 with the clip ll so that when said cup and clip finallyengage each other the pins 26 will have slightly deformed the cylinder24 so that its end is somewhat egg-shaped, due to the pressure caused bythe cam surface of the ridge 29. If desired thecylinder 2 1 may beprovided with a plurality of slits 2 3a, see Fig. 2, so that thepressure of the pins 25 will cause the arms thus formed to bendslightly, as shown.

Because of the resiliency of the arms'2'l carrying the pins, theselatter will be urged continually toward the outward position of Fig. 1,and this serves to effect return of the igniting unit to theopen-circuit position shown in this figure whenever pressure on the knobis released. Thus, to fully heat the heating element the igniting unitmust be held inwardly in the position of Fig. 2 for a given length oftime.

In order to apprise a user that the heating element is sufficientlyincandescent for use, the present invention provides a solidlight-conducting member 32 extending from said element to the outer faceof the knob IS, the knob being apertured to receive and support saidmember. The member 32 may be of glass, or other suitable transparent ortranslucent material, and said member extends into the cylinder 24 tothe end wall thereof, directly adjacent the back of the heating element.As seen in Fig. 1 the end of the member is recessed to receive the headof the stud 23. The bottom of the cup 22, the cap 20, and the end of thecylinder 24 are provided with aligned apertures at a plurality ofpoints, as are the insulating washers associated with the heatingelement, to permit the light from the incandescent element to strike theend of the lightconducting member 32, and the front end of said memberis preferably conically enlarged, as shown, to present a largeilluminable surface at the front of the knob.

To prevent casual dislodgment of the igniting unit from the holder ll]when in the position of Fig. l the pins 25 are preferably made longenough to engage under slight pressure the inner surface of the neckportion 393. Also, for easy axial movement of the unit in the holder,the body it; is provided with an external flange Ilia adapted toslidably engage the inner surface of the neck portion.

In assembling the igniting unit of the lighter, the contact assemblyshown in Fig. 3 may be easily positioned in the body [8 if the pins 25are depressed as the ring is being placed in the bore. When the pinsreach the apertures in the walls of the body they will snap out and thusposition the assembly against future displacement.

According to the present invention there is provided a novel securingring 33, see Figs. 1, 2 and 4, adapted to fit over the shell l3 andengage the rear face of the panel H, said ring being provided at itsrear edge with an internal flange having a pair of wedge faces 34 and 35adapted to engage respectively a pair of tabs 38 and 3'! lanoed from theshell l3 as shown. The internal flange is provided with cut-outs 38 and38 to permit the ring to pass over the tabs 36 and 31. When it isdesired to secure the holder it to the panel H, the holder is placed sothat the bead 3i engages the front face of the panel, and the ring isthen slipped over the shell l3, past the tabs 36 and 3'8 and is thenturned by a handle 33a secured thereto so that the wedge faces en gagesaid tabs and wedge the ring securely against the rear panel face.

It will be noted that the tabs 36 and 31 present their edges forengagement with the wedge faces of the ring 33, and this provides aparticularly stout and rugged securing means, since the forceexperienced by the tabs is largely that of compression, with but littleflexing present.

A modification of the invention is shown in Fig. 5, wherein the stud Mof the holder shell cup 22 as shown, and prevents the igniting unit fromreturning to its initial position under the urging of the pins 26. Asthe heating element becomes incandescent the heat therefrom will causethe clip 40 to spread and release the cup 22, thereby permittingtheigniting unit to return to its initial open-circuit position. Thusthe provision of the clip 40 makes the lighter automatic in itsoperation.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements'may be used Without others.

I claim:

1. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presentinga well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported inthe cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom foruse, said unit being movable from an open-circuit position to aclosed-circuit position in said cavity; a cam face on the side wall ofthe cavity; a pin carried by and radially movable in the igniting unit,for engaging and sliding uponsaid cam face; and means for yieldinglyforcing the pin outwardly against said face to yieldingly urge theigniting unit from its closed-circuit position to its opencircuitposition. I 1

2. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presentinga well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported inthe cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom foruse, said unit being movable frcm an open-circuit position to a closedcircuit position in said cavity; a cam face on the side wall of thecavity; a pin carried by and radially movable in the igniting unit, forengaging and sliding upon said cam face; and means for yieldinglyforcing the pin outwardly against said face to yieldingly urge theigniting unit from its closed-circuit position to its open-circuitposition, said pin normally engaging th side wall of the cavity to holdthe igniting unit therein against casual removal.

3. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presentinga well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported inthe cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom foruse, said unit being movable from an open-circuit position to aclosed-circuit position in said cavity; a cam face on the side wall ofthe cavity; a pin carried by and radially movable in the igniting unit,for engaging and sliding upon said cam face; and means for yieldinglyforcing the pin outwardly against said face to yieldingly urge theigniting unit from its closed-circuit position to its opencircuitposition, said pin constituting a contact to feed current to the heatingelement.

4. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presentinga well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported inthe cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom foruse, said unit being movable from an open-circuit position to aclosedcircuit position in said cavity; a cam face on the side wall ofthe cavity; a pin carried by and radially movable in the igniting unit,for engaging and sliding upon said cam face; and means for yieldinglyforcing the pin outwardly against said face to yieldingly urge theigniting unit from its closed-circuit position to its opencircuitposition, said pin normally engaging the side wall of the cavity to holdthe igniting unit therein against casual removal and constituting acontact to feed current to the heating element when the igniting unit isin closed-circuit position. 7

5. An igniting unit for a cigar lighter comprising a body adapted to beremovably supported on a holding device, said body having a front faceand another face,'and having a channel extending between said faces, thewidth of the channel increasing progressively toward the front face; aheating element carried by the body at the second-mentioned face; and anelongate solid light-conducting member extending in said channel fromthe heating element to the front face of the body, said memberincreasing in cross-sectional area progressively toward its front end,whereby the incandescence of the element is evidenced at said frontface.

6. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presentinga well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug supported inthe cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom foruse, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; 'a'

heating element carried by theigniting unit; a ridge on the side wall ofthe cavity; means car ried by the igniting unit and including a memberdepressed when engaged by said ridge; and means responsive to thedepression of said member for controlling a circuit throughthe heatingelement when the igniting unit is moved in the cavity from one positionto another.

7. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presentinga well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported inthe cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom foruse, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; aheating element carried by the igniting unit, and having a contact forconducting current thereto; a contact carried by the holding device inthe cavity thereof for engagement with the heating element contact whenthe igniting unit is in a given energizing position in the cavity; aridge on the side wall of the cavity; and means carried by the ignitingunit and including a member depressed when engaged by said ridge; andmeans responsive to the depression of said member for closing thecircuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved inthe cavity to the said position.

8. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presentinga well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug, supported inthe cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom foruse, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; aheating element carried by the igniting unit, and having a contact forconducting current thereto; a non-resilient, abutting contact carried bythe holding device in the cavity thereof for engagement with the heatingelement contact when the igniting unit is in a given energizing positionin the cavity; a ridge on the side wall of the cavity; means carried bythe igniting unit and including a yieldingly displaceable memberdisplaced upon engagement with said ridge; and means responsive to thedisplacement of said member for completing the circuit through theheating element when the igniting unit is moved in the cavity to thesaid position.

9. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presentinga well-like cavity; an igniting unitin the form of a plug supported inthe cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom foruse, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; aheating element carried by the igniting unit; a ridge on the side wallof the cavity; means carried by the igniting unit andincluding adisplaoeable member displaced upon engagement with said ridge; meansresponsive to the displacement of said member for closing a circuitthrough the heating element when the igniting unit is in a givenenergizing position in the cavity, and means for yieldingly urging theunit from said position; and heat-responsive means in heat-exchangingrelation with the heating element for holding the igniting unit in saidposition and for releasing the igniting unit for movement away from saidposition when the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature. I

10. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding devicepresenting a well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plugsupported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removabletherefrom for use, said unit being movable to different positions insaid cavity; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; a ridge onthe side wall of the cavity; and means carried by the igniting unit andincluding a pin movable radially therein to engage said ridge, forcontrolling a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unitis moved in the cavity, said means also including a resilient armcarrying said pin, and a second resilient arm con-- nected with theheating element and engaged by the pin when depressed.

11. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding devicepresenting a Well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plugsupported in the cavity of the holding device and completely removabletherefrom for use, said unit being movable to different positions insaid cavity; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; a cam ridgeon the side wall of the cavity; a pin carried by and radially movable inthe igniting unit, for engagement with said cam ridge whereby movementof the igniting unit in the cavity causes movement of the pin; and meansresponsive to movement of said pin for controlling a circuit through theigniting unit.

12. The invention as defined in claim 11, in which the means forcontrolling the circuit includes a resilient contact for engaging thepin,

said contact being connected with the heating element.

13. An igniting unit for a cigar lighter comprising a plug-like bodyhaving a central longitudinal bore, said body being adapted to bereceived in a holding cavity; a heating element carried by the body atone end thereof; a contact radially movable in the side wall of thebody, and carried thereby substantially intermediate the ends thereof; aslitted contact cylinder concentrically located in the bore of the bodyso that its one end is adjacent the radially movable contact, saidcylinder being mechanically supported at its other end; and anelectrical connection from said cylinder to the heating element.

14. Ina cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding device presentinga well-like cavity; an igniting unit in the form of a plug supported inthe cavity of the holding device and completely removable therefrom foruse, said unit being movable to different positions in said cavity; aheating element carried by the igniting unit; a cam ridge on the sidewall of the cavity; a pin carried by and radially movable in theigniting unit, for engagement with said cam ridge whereby movement ofthe igniting unit in the cavity causes movement of the pin; and meansresponsive to movement of said pin for controlling a circuit through theigniting unit, including means for yieldingly urging the pin againstsaid cam ridge whereby the igniting unit is yieldingly urged to aposition wherein the circuit through the igniting unit is open.

15. In a cigar lighter, a substantially tubular holding devicepresenting a well-like cavity; an

igniting unit in the form of a plug supported in the cavity of theholding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unitbeing movable from a shallow to a deep position in said cavity; aheating element carried by the igniting unit; a normally open switchcarried by the igniting unit, for controlling the circuit through theheating element, said switch having an actuating member radially movableon the igniting unit; and means on the holding device for actuating saidmember to close the switch when the memher is moved in the cavity fromthe shallow position to the deep position.

ARTHUR A. JOHNSON.

